[Carlowf]

I thought to share some of my projects. Due to lack of time I don't visit here often and post little, but I figure that if I at least start a thread then I can add to it and keep visiting and updating, sharing some pics.

The first one is my interpretation of Military/Field/Pilot watch. Seiko SARZ005 with domed sapphire, military dial and pilot hands.

 

[AtomicTom]

No worries Carlo, I think it's like that with a lot of members.

Nevertheless, can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you
taking some time to post this, or these up sir. And I know
that a lot of people really appreciate the posts too, even if they
might not always reply in a thread. So thanks so much for this
report !!! And from my perspective sir, this latest head turning
creation was worth the wait here. 🏆

Because this military, pilot, field watch is as captivating as can
be imho. Because not only does it do the very cool, and classic
with the numbering, and everything with it. But you also have this
fascinating mix of styles. It's spectacular !

Seriously, the bezel alone throws us a fantastic curve. As does the
meshing of hand styles with the numbering, and chapter ring. ..It's
like you thought of anything, and everything cool to do, but then did
it sir. And it really is a joy to see ! ..Thank you once again !!!

Just is terrific work !

 

[Carlowf]

Thank you Tom. Here is another one I completed recently. Base 42mm watch with domed sapphire, Seiko Automatic movement and field/military looks. Dual lume (blue on numbers and green on indices and hands)

 

[AtomicTom]

You got it Carlo, but the real thanks of course house to you !
I genuinely cannot thank you enough just for taking the time to
show us these modding marvel’s of yours’. Because we
all know that you could build all of these stunners at home, and
not show them to us. Or not share them with us. However, we
are extremely lucky. Or fortunate that you don’t do that sir. 😊

Because I genuinely think of all the pieces you have imagined up
throughout the years, as well shared with us. And it has been one
wonderful journey. ..With each watch not only showing us just how
cool watch modding can be. But also what is possible to do, as
well as imagine.

Just looking at this new amazing field/military project shows that
there really are no limits to just how great things can get. 🥇
Yowza, can’t believe the tremendously awesome feel of this one.
It’s bold, but refined, curvy, and crazy cool ! THX a bunch for the
report !!!

P.S. Carlo, can you tell us about Firefly being on the dial? 😮

 

[Eon]

Great job, thanks for sharing.

 

[Carlowf]

Thank you for the kind words. Here is a Brian May project, Seiko Turtle with Domed sapphire, ceramic bezel insert, Brian May Special Edition Seiko dial and Alpinist hands.

 

[AtomicTom]

Thank YOU for sharing these with us once again Carlo !!! 😃
..Yowza, amazing work !

Boy oh boy, as if the Seiko Brian May wasn’t cool enough,
you somehow kicked up the cool unknown notches here
with this sir. 😯 I mean just deciding to go with the Alpinist
hands was genius, and gives the watch a real twist, or throws,
us an incredible curve. ⚾ Brilliant Sir ! And I swear there’s
a real contrast with the colors of the dial as well. So neat !

If I remember correctly, Seiko’s Brian May has a red chapter
ring. But yours’ has a striking, contrasting happening thanks
to the black. ..Honestly, just the whole feel of the watch is
more rustic, more classy, more cool !! 😎😎

 

[Carlowf]

Thank you Tom. This one here I put together with spare parts I had... I called it Hammer "head" project....

 

[AtomicTom]

My pleasure, wow, but the real thanks goes to you for taking the
time to share all of these with us !!! 😉🏆

Boy oh boy, I like how you nonchalantly dream up, and then can
make some spare parts turn into something so incredible. 😮 It
really is something, but on top of that it’s one of the coolest things
watch wise I have seen. ..Seriously, it’s reminds you of one of the
crazy cool Grand Seikos we have seen in recent years with the
look of the dial. The look, the color, everything ! And really, when
do you ever see a ‘hammered’ dial watch?! ..Basically never.

However, you have one Carlo, but instead of just buying it, you
built it. 😀😎 Yet another stunning project, as well as creation
sir. Yowza, outstanding stuff once again !!!

 

[Carlowf]

Thank you Tom. This one is a project I did where I only replaced the hands. It is a Seiko SRPE model with blue sunburst dial. I installed original SEIKO Alpinist hands.

 

[AtomicTom]

You are of course very very welcome !

And you know Carlo, was thinking about this with changing the hands like
this. ..It HAS to be one of the more impactful things one can do, or modify
with a watch, wouldn't you say? I mean the hands a watch has can
really bring so much personality to a watch. Not to mention make, or break
the fact the someone will like, or not like a watch right?! Seriously, you can
bet that countless people like the Alpinist for instance mostly for the hands. 😉
But at the same time, might actually not care for the Alpinist watch design
itself. So the fact that you can add the Alpinist hands to a watch, and make
it your own. Or in this case, Alpinize it is awesome !

Honestly, this watch in stock form I'm sure was easy on the eyes Carlo. But
now it's ascended another level imho. To become something unique, as well
non cookie-cutter. Something exceptional ! ..Can't thank you enough just for
taking the time to share these with us sir !!!

 

[Carlowf]

Thank you Tom and yes, you are right. Some time even a small change can make a big impact.

I find that the hands are definitely a key factor in the overall look of a watch and being at the center of it they define immediately if I like the piece or not. Of course since most can be replaced, then one can also look at that factor...

It is fan and rewarding to change something the way you like it better...

 

[AtomicTom]

Thank you Tom and yes, you are right. Some time even a small change can make a big impact.

I find that the hands are definitely a key factor in the overall look of a watch and being at the center of it they define immediately if I like the piece or not. Of course since most can be replaced, then one can also look at that factor...

It is fan and rewarding to change something the way you like it better...

Don't mention it Carlo.

Yes, it has to be amazing knowing that even when you maybe don't like
something about a watch that you can change it.

What it basically does is allow you to enjoy any, and every watch out there
if you wanted. And in a cool way, there are no roadblocks when it comes to
what watch can be on your radar. Whereas so many of us have to look the
other way with a watch because we don't care for something. You on the
other hand can almost always say yes because you know that you can
transform, or fix something.

It really is terrific to tell the truth !

 

[Carlowf]

Thank you Tom. Yes, the important part is to enjoy...

Here is another project: Big number pilot project. Original blue metallic Seiko dial and hands. Domed/boxed Sapphire crystal and 62MAS case.

 

[AtomicTom]

You are very welcome sir, and yes, that really is what it’s all about.
And have to say the way you enjoy the hobby is particularly awesome if
you don’t mind me saying. 🏆 As I have said before, most of us are
lucky enough just to see, or once in a while pick up a nice watch. ..But
you actually can dream them up, as well as build them. Which in
itself is a wonderful thing, or talent. However, not only that, it is also the
ideas you come up with.

I mean you can build something as timeless, and classic as one can imagine. However, you also dream up these really amazing cross
style head turners like this pilot diver above. 🛫 🐠 It’s honestly just
THE best to see, or rather watch sir. Not to mention is ridiculously
fun too !

That is for both you as well as us Carlo. Cannot thank you enough
once again for sharing, and a COLOSSALY cool congrats on yet
another wonder !!!

 

[Carlowf]

Thank you Tom, we are definitely fortunate that there are so many brands and models already for all kind of people and taste to choose from. Being able to tweak even more the looks if for me the best part.

The truth is that any watch could be so customized if one really wanted so that makes this hobby really doable and satisfying.

 

[AtomicTom]

Thank you Tom, we are definitely fortunate that there are so many brands and models already for all kind of people and taste to choose from. Being able to tweak even more the looks if for me the best part.

The truth is that any watch could be so customized if one really wanted so that makes this hobby really doable and satisfying.

You are very very welcome Carlo ! We really are so fortunate,
you are so right. On top of it all, it seems that every year
there is more, and more available to modding fans as yourself.
I mean years back it seems like if someone wanted to start a
project, you were limited in what was out there right?! However,
today there are seemingly more dials, bezels, cases etc. than
you can shake a stick at.

And it only seems to be getting better, and better. ..Just inagining
what will be available to modern such as yourself in the coming
years is the extremely exciting !

 

[Carlowf]

Thank you Tom, and yes, if one does not have fun doing what he is doing, then why bother? That's the whole idea behind the hobby...

This one is a San Martin Turtle, with Seiko movement black day wheel, domed sapphire, original SKX173 dial and Seiko SPORK hands. Lume is one of the best.

 

[AtomicTom]

Don’t mention it sir. Yes, really don’t think it can be said any
better Carlo. ..Having fun is what it’s all about, and it seems like
you have perfected that. And on this end, it’s an honest
to goodness blast seeing what you are always coming up with.
I mean this San Martin Turtle is the perfect example here with
just that black day wheel ! ..Seriously, how many times have
we heard watch fans yearn for a day, or date wheel that blends
with the dial more?! ..Phenomenal work as always !

What always amazes me is how the choices you makes literally
always make whatever watch you are modifying many times
better than it was. We should call this the SUPER Turtle ! 🐢

Can’t thank you enough for taking the time to show this to us sir !!!